This interview, Yamen, a Palestinian student, shared his experiences studying in China with a British student. Both stated that China offers almost all the necessary learning and living resources, making it “the best choice” for them at present. When asked about their initial impressions of China, they described the campus and city environment as “modern” and “futuristic.” Both arrived at the campus last year but said they haven’t felt significantly lonely and have already made many friends. Regarding language, Yamen pointed out that without understanding the language, it’s difficult to truly understand the culture, making language learning particularly important. He usually connects with other international students through English-speaking classmates. As for ways to reduce loneliness, they mentioned that in the UK, they build connections through community activities such as playing football or attending prayers at the mosque; similarly in Palestine, they maintain relationships through community and religious sites. For them, a sense of belonging comes from genuine face-to-face interaction.
